This article critically examines the "One Country Two Systems" model (OCTS) developed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) for achieving the reunification of Taiwan. The model is in many respects the same as that already applied in Hong Kong. The PRC promises that under OCTS, the Taiwanese will enjoy a "high degree of autonomy", be "masters in their own house" and maintain their way of life. However, in contrast to the people of Hong Kong, who have never enjoyed full democracy, the Taiwanese have achieved a much greater degree of autonomy and accountability than is possible under OCTS. The OCTS model cannot herefore deliver what it promises. The Article demonstrates this by comparing OCTS as elaborated in the Basic Law of Hong Kong with the current constitutional and political arrangements in Taiwan.
"One country, two systems" was a constitutional principle of the People's Republic of China (PRC) describing the governance of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
The "one country, two systems" principle has also been proposed by the PRC government for Taiwan, but the government of the Republic of China has refused this suggestion. It has also been previously claimed that the system was originally designed for Taiwan in order for it to be unified with the PRC.
The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests were a series of demonstrations against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in regard to extradition. It was the largest series of demonstrations in the history of Hong Kong.
The bill was proposed by the Hong Kong government in February 2019 to establish a mechanism for transfers of fugitives not only for Taiwan, but also for Mainland China and Macau, which are currently excluded in the existing laws.
The controversy surrounding the political status of Taiwan or the Taiwan issue is a result of World War II, the second phase of the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949), and the Cold War. The basic issue hinges on whom the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should be administered by.